Let Virgil spend her last days with her family

My grandma, Glenda Virgil, was the victim of physical, mental and emotional abuse by her boyfriend over a period of four years before getting the courage to leave the relationship. When her boyfriend learned of her plans to leave him, he beat her for several hours and threatened to kill both her, himself and their dog with a gun.

Virgil believing that her life would end if she did not act, shot and killed her abuser.

Despite two expert evaluators’ conclusion that Virgil’s history of abuse contributed to her crime and her fear of the victim, no evidence of her abuse was admitted at her trial and has never been given serious consideration by the parole panels that have considered her for parole.

Virgil, now 65 years old and in a wheelchair, has served 25 years for her crime. Recently she suffered four pulmonary embolisms and in September was diagnosed with an aggressive form of lung cancer and given less than a year to live.

Keeping Virgil incarcerated is an injustice. During her time in prison Virgil has dedicated herself to self-help and rehabilitation, and she has dedicated herself to mentoring other victims of trauma and abuse.

Please sign my petition so my grandma can spend her last days at home with her family.

Letter to

California Governor

Glenda Virgil was a victim of physical, mental and emotional abuse by her boyfriend over a period of four years before gaining the courage to leave the relationship. When Virgil’s boyfriend learned of her plans to leave him, he beat her for several hours and threatened to kill both her and himself. Virgil, believing that her life would end if she did not act, shot and killed her abuser.

Despite two expert evaluators’ conclusion that Virgil's history of abuse contributed to her crime and her fear of the victim, no evidence of her abuse was admitted at her trial and has never been given serious consideration by the parole panels that have considered her for parole.

Virgil, now 65 years old and in a wheelchair, has served 25 years for her crime. Recently she suffered four pulmonary embolisms and in September was diagnosed with an aggressive form of lung cancer. Despite her failing health, she continues to fight for her freedom.

Under the "Sin by Silence Bills", which were recently signed into law by Governor Brown, the Board of Parole Hearings must give great weight to any information or evidence that proves the prisoner experienced Intimate Partner Battering and its effects at the time the crime was committed.

In August, Virgil was denied parole for smoking cigarettes in prison. The parole panel made little mention of her long history of abuse in its decision.

Keeping Virgil incarcerated is an injustice. During her time in prison Virgil has dedicated herself to self-help and rehabilitation, and she has dedicated herself to mentoring other victims of trauma and abuse.

Please grant Glenda Virgil parole from prison so she can spend her last days at home with her family.